If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway from the bustling city of London, why not take a day trip to Folkestone in Kent? It’s just over an hour away from London St Pancras and offers stunning views of the English Channel.
On my recent trip to Folkestone, I wanted to make sure I kept to my budget of £50 for the day, which I managed to do easily. We took the train from London St Pancras, which cost less than £20 for a return ticket.
When we arrived in Folkestone, we were ready for some lunch, but our plans were derailed when we accidentally got off at the wrong stop in Dover. Blame it on our chatty personalities or the unhelpful train announcements. Either way, we eventually made it to Folkestone and headed straight for Rock Salt, a highly recommended restaurant.
Unfortunately, we didn’t book a table in advance and were told there would be a wait of an hour before we could be seated. As much as I wanted to try Rock Salt, my hunger got the better of me, so we decided to explore the town and find somewhere else to eat.
Luckily, we stumbled upon a cozy little cafe called The Bouverie Tap, which had a fantastic selection of sandwiches and craft beers. We ordered a few items from the menu and enjoyed a leisurely lunch while admiring the beautiful scenery outside.
After lunch, we took a stroll along the Folkestone Harbour Arm, a renovated pier that offers stunning views of the English Channel. It was the perfect spot to take some Instagram-worthy photos in front of the colorful boats and lighthouses.
The Leas, a scenic cliff-top
Next, we headed to The Leas, a scenic cliff-top walk that overlooks the sea. The views were absolutely breathtaking. We took our time walking along the path, stopping to snap photos and enjoy the fresh sea air.
As the day began to wind down, we decided to head back to the town center and take a stroll through the Creative Quarter. An artsy neighborhood filled with independent shops and galleries. We ended our day trip with a drink at the Radnor Arms, a cozy pub with a great selection of local beers.
Overall, our day trip to Folkestone was a huge success. Even though we didn’t get to try Rock Salt, we discovered some amazing hidden gems. We enjoyed a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of London. If you’re looking for a charming seaside town with stunning views and plenty of things to see and do, I highly recommend making this day trip from London to Folkestone Kent.
Food options – we weren’t that lucky on our day trip from London to Folkestone Kent
During our day trip from London to Folkestone Kent, we stopped by “The Harbour Inn” for some classic fish and chips. The gastro pub had a cozy Mediterranean atmosphere, but unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to our expectations. While the fish was fresh, it lacked seasoning and flavor, leaving us a bit underwhelmed.
Despite our food choice being a miss, we continued on to explore the charming “Creative Quarter,”. An urban village home to a diverse community of artists, filmmakers, musicians, web developers, and designers. As we strolled along the Old High Street, we couldn’t resist stopping at “Steep Street Coffee House,”. A lovely book cafe and bakery, for a refreshing cup of tea. The ambiance was perfect for some much-needed relaxation before continuing our adventure.
Despite the disappointment at “The Harbour Inn,” our visit to the Creative Quarter and Steep Street Coffee House was the highlight of our day trip to Folkestone Kent. The friendly service and creative energy of the area were inspiring and left us feeling invigorated.
We saw “Marleys”, a local British restaurant, just next to the cafe. This is definitely the restaurant I’m going to try next time I will be in Folkestone. Actually, please let me know how it is and thank me later!
The Harbour of Folkestone Kent, Day trip from London
We then walked to the Harbour and it was such a lovely nice walk. The sun was out, no clouds at all. The weather really helped a lot to let us enjoy the seaside walk. We were ready to have a nice glass of prosecco or champagne to the “Lighthouse Champagne Bar” at the end of the Harbour, but it was closed.
Instead we walked back to the main street to “The Pullman” to have a nice glass of wine before the way back to London, but I wouldn’t recommend it for their hospitality. Wine was good, but they have just a couple of options.
The way back to London was smooth.
“Aurora, are you going back to Folkestone one day?”
“Yes, I will. There are still a couple of places I want to try on my list, and the Harbour walk is lovely. Perfect for a shooting day. Especially if you’re still in the mood “do it for the Gram!!”. But don’t tell this secret place to everyone!!”.
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